Latest news with #IS-related
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First Post
2 days ago
- First Post
36 Bangladeshi nationals detained in Malaysia in crackdown on Islamic State network
Malaysian authorities have dismantled a network that used social media to spread ideology and raise funds for the Islamic State terrorist group among Bangladeshi nationals working in the country read more Malaysian police have dismantled a network accused of spreading Islamic State (IS) ideology and soliciting funds from Bangladeshi workers in the country, the nation's top police official said on Friday. The group allegedly used social media and messaging platforms to disseminate extremist content and radicalise Bangladeshi nationals employed in Malaysia's labour-intensive sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and services. Inspector-General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail said 36 Bangladeshi nationals had been arrested since April in a series of coordinated operations. All had entered Malaysia legally for work. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The arrests mark a significant disruption of IS-related activity in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority country that has cracked down on militancy following a 2016 Islamic State-linked attack in Kuala Lumpur. Although the frequency of arrests has declined in recent years, authorities remain vigilant against possible extremist threats, particularly within the large migrant workforce. Malaysia depends on foreign workers, including thousands from Bangladesh, to support key sectors such as plantations, factories and infrastructure development. It also raised funds using international fund transfer services and e-wallets to send to the Islamic State group in Syria and Bangladesh, he added, declining to provide further details on the amount raised. Among those detained, five have been charged with being part of a terrorist organisation, while 15 will be deported. Another 16 remain in police custody pending further investigation, with further arrests expected, Mohd Khalid said. A total of between 100 and 150 people are suspected to be involved in the network, he said. 'We will deport those with minimal involvement back to their home country, while those with greater involvement wil be charged under Malaysian laws,' he said. With inputs from agencies
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
IGP: Malaysia risks becoming terror transit hub as IS-linked Bangladeshis recruit migrant workers via social media
Mohd Khalid speaks during a press conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on July 4, 2025. — Malay Mail A group of Bangladeshi nationals linked to IS used social media and messaging apps to spread extremist ideology and recruit members from Malaysia's migrant worker community. Police uncovered the group's use of labour sectors for recruitment, mobile payment apps for funding militant activities, and secret meetings to organise cells and spread influence. Authorities have identified up to 150 individuals involved, with actions ranging from repatriation to legal prosecution, amid concerns Malaysia could become a transit hub for foreign militants. KUALA LUMPUR (July 4): A group of Bangladeshi nationals linked to the Islamic State (IS) terror group used social media platforms to spread propaganda and recruit members from within Malaysia's migrant worker community, said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail today. He said the police's special branch first detected the group through a number of Facebook accounts actively sharing IS-related content, all traced back to internet protocol (IP) addresses originating in Malaysia. 'Based on intelligence, the group's modus operandi involved several strategic approaches. First, they recruited members through labour sectors, including factories, construction sites, and petrol stations, targeting the Bangladeshi community working in Malaysia. 'Second, they used social media platforms such as Facebook as a medium to spread radical and extremist ideologies, in turn attracting more supporters. 'Third, messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Telegram were widely used to circulate propaganda, coordinate processes, and organise activities in secret, including ta'lim sessions (religious instruction) and member meetings,' he said in a press conference at Bukit Aman here. The aim of the recruitment, Khalid said, was to enlist members to fight in Syria or for the IS, and to raise funds to be channelled to Syria, IS networks, and Bangladesh. 'The group also raised funds to support militant activities using mobile payment applications such as Touch 'n Go and bKash, as well as international money transfer services,' he said. Khalid said members paid RM500 annually to the Bangladesh 'radical militant movement' in membership fees. The police also have detected between 100 and 150 individuals who are involved in the WhatsApp group. 'As for those with minimal involvement, we will take appropriate action and repatriate them to their home country. For those deeply involved, we will take legal action and charge them under our national laws,' he added. He said individuals who pledged the 'baiah', or oath of allegiance, online were then made responsible for leading new cells established in certain areas, with the aim of expanding the group's influence and operations. 'In addition, recruitment was carried out in phases, beginning with a vetting process and progressing towards the formation of more elite members,' he added. Khalid said the security implication for Malaysia is that the country was at risk of becoming a logistics and transit hub for foreign militants, which could tarnish the country's image by associating it with radical elements. 'This is our main concern. The infiltration of extremist ideologies within migrant communities, which are difficult to detect, could lead to subversive activities carried out covertly. 'If left unaddressed, this issue may affect Malaysia's international standing and diplomatic relations in the region. Therefore, the police would like to emphasise that national security is our highest priority and will not be compromised under any circumstances,' he said. Last week, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the police arrested 36 Bangladesh citizens this week, who were found to be directly involved in a 'radical militant movement' centred on extremist beliefs and terrorism ideology. Saifuddin said the police's planned security operations had started from April 24 with three phases of arrests in Selangor and Johor. — Malay Mail Bangladeshi nationals Islamic State lead Mohd Khalid Ismail
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Singapore detains 15-year-old female Islamic State supporter under Internal Security Act
SINGAPORE, April 2 — A 15-year-old Singaporean girl has been apprehended under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for self-radicalisation, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported today. The girl, an Islamic State (IS) supporter, has been placed under a restriction order. She is the first female and second-youngest individual to face such action, Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) said in a statement. According to ISD, the 15-year-old girl encountered IS propaganda online in June 2023 and was quickly drawn to the group's ideology. She believed IS was a legitimate religious army and aspired to support the cause by marrying an IS fighter in Syria, raising sons to become fighters. In July 2023, she took a virtual pledge of allegiance to IS via an online chatbot, pledging to former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Between September 2023 and April 2024, she searched for flights from Singapore to Syria three times and considered saving money for the journey. ISD also found that she engaged in at least eight short-term online relationships with IS supporters overseas, including an alleged fighter in Syria. Beyond her personal aspirations, the girl expressed willingness to become a female fighter and 'hoped to die a martyr' after watching footage of female IS fighters, ISD said. Her mother was aware of her exposure to extremist content and had advised against it but did not see the need for further intervention. She also attempted to spread radical materials by sharing IS-related content with her schoolmates, though ISD stated that none took it seriously or reported her actions. Investigations indicate that while she acted alone, her radicalisation was extensive.
